Ayodhya verdict: Security tightened in Chennai, 15,000 police personnel deployed

To prevent any untoward incident following the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case, security arrangements have been tightened in and around Chennai with over 15,000 police personnel deployed at various locations in the city.

The police gathered at Rajarathinam ground at 5 a.m in Chennai and then were sent to different locations.

At least 2000 police personnel have been deployed at places of public gathering like malls, theatres, railway stations, temples and mosques. Security arrangements have also been tightened at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tirunelveli, Rameshwaram temple and other prominent places.

Police have instructed shopkeepers not to sell firecrackers. The printing press owners have also been advised to inform the police if they receive bulk orders to print inflammatory signs.

Police have already held meetings with Hindu and Muslim outfits and urged them to ensure peace.

Police have also been deployed in places like Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Pudukottai and Karur. 2500 local cops and 1500 from other districts deployed at Coimbatore.

However, there have been no calls to close down liquor shops in and around Chennai.

The Supreme Court delivered the verdict on the Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case on Saturday.

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi had finished the hearing in the long-standing dispute on October 16. Other judges of the bench are Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and SW Abdul Nazeer. 

Earlier on Friday, Gogoi met Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior police officials over preparedness ahead of probable Ayodhya verdict.

The CJI, along with the officials, reviewed security arrangements in Ayodhya and asked if the state needs direction or additional help of any kind from the Centre, other states or from the Supreme Court.

The meeting took place inside CJI's chamber on Friday afternoon.

The five-judge bench was hearing appeals challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict, which ordered equal division of the 2.77-acre of disputed land in Ayodhya among the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and the Ram Lalla.